Advocacy plays a vital role in shaping policies and regulatory frameworks that determine agriculture's future. From influencing trade agreements and pest management regulations to ensuring access to innovative technologies, effective advocacy helps create conditions for farmers to thrive while meeting society's growing demands for food security and sustainability. It’s an ongoing effort undertaken throughout the food value chain – from farm organizations and commodity groups to the companies that develop agricultural technologies.
Syngenta, for instance, is known for its crop protection products, seeds, and digital agriculture services, but growers may not realize the extent of the company's investment in advocacy. “Beyond developing farm solutions, we actively champion policies and initiatives that support Canadian agriculture's growth and competitiveness,” says Christina Stroud, Head of Corporate Affairs for Syngenta Canada. “Key elements to that is helping growers access tools they need to farm successfully and advocating for fair access to markets.”
Championing key agricultural priorities
Advocacy work at Syngenta centres on five strategic priorities designed to strengthen the agricultural sector. In advance of September’s conference of Federal, Provincial, and Territorial (FPT) Ministers of Agriculture, Stroud and her colleagues have been actively engaging with stakeholders to advance these crucial asks:
- Foster an agile regulatory system that bolsters competitiveness and economic prosperity
- Prioritize agriculture and agri-food as a strategic sector that drives economic growth
- Adopt farmer-friendly sustainability and climate change policies and programs
- Embrace and promote plant science innovation as a key productivity driver
- Promote trade and reduce non-tariff trade barriers to benefit Canadian agriculture
"When I'm talking with farmers, I hear firsthand how regulatory delays and policy uncertainty affect their operations," says Shaun Vey, Head of Sales, Crop Protection. "Making progress on these priorities is vital because we see the direct impact on the farmers we serve every day. We advocate for a predictable regulatory environment and policies based on sound science to enable farmers to ensure long-term profitability and remain competitive on the global stage."
Building collaborative relationships
Effective advocacy requires strong partnerships. “We actively collaborate with stakeholders across the country to amplify the voice of Canadian agriculture,” says Stroud, pointing to grower groups such as the Wheat Growers Association, commodity organizations including the Canola Council of Canada, and industry associations like CropLife Canada as just a few examples.
“This collaborative approach extends to ongoing government relations,” adds Robyn McKee, Government and Industry Relations Manager. “Over the past few months, we’ve met directly with Provincial Agriculture Ministers in Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and New Brunswick.” She adds that Syngenta representatives have also engaged with the Deputy Minister in British Columbia and senior ministerial staff in Ontario, ensuring that agricultural priorities are understood at the highest levels of government.
So far, the response from elected officials has been encouraging. “The provinces are on board with what we’re saying,” says McKee. “And the Carney government’s renewed focus on growing Canada’s economy, reducing regulatory burden, and fostering competitiveness is very positive – we look forward to turning it into real action.”
Syngenta also participates in industry forums that shape agricultural policy. “Annually, we take part in the Canadian Federation of Agriculture's summer meeting and policy roundtable,” says Stroud. “This year, I was pleased to contribute insights on the panel ‘Enhancing the Competitiveness of Canadian Agriculture through Access to Inputs’ and during the roundtable.”
These contributions help inform policy recommendations that are subsequently presented to agriculture ministers, creating a direct line between industry expertise and government decision-making.
Freedom to operate
Effective advocacy requires input from diverse perspectives across the agricultural value chain. Science-based companies, farm organizations, and commodity groups each bring unique insights to policy discussions that shape the regulatory environment farmers navigate daily.
“Input from farmers and retailers is critical too,” says Vey. "MPs and MPPs need to hear feedback and concerns from all angles – examples from farmers and retailers are invaluable as they play a key role in the value chain." Whether participating in industry consultations, engaging with local representatives, or supporting farm organizations' policy work, every voice contributes to building a regulatory environment that supports agricultural innovation and competitiveness. When industry, government, and agricultural stakeholders work together through strategic advocacy, the entire sector benefits from informed policy decisions and stronger competitive positioning in global markets.
